What are some widely recommended Headlights?

[JasonWW]

I’ve decided to make a new thread showing the models and orices, sizes, details, etc…

Headlight List with prices, specs and features

I’m going to try and list a bunch of popular headlights to make it easier for people to narrow down what they want based on price, shape, features, etc… If you know if one of these models uses a 20mm reflector or lens, let me know. That means a 20mm tir lens can be fitted to change the beam shape. If you know it uses a 16mm mcpcb, also let me know. This would make it easy to change the color temp. I will try and continue to update this first post list. Hopefully all the lights will eventually…

Go here if you have knowledge of the internal parts and share that info so I can put it into the list.

[JasonWW]

@AEDe

@JasonWW

If blf were to do a special edition, what host would they use? What size, what shape? Would it be a throwy 1000 lumen hiking design or a floody 500 lumen “close up work” design?

I think there are too many styles and uses plus so many varieties out on the market already. What would the blf edition bring to the table that does not already exist?

I think we can say it about all type of flashlights. throwy and floody it depends of optics only. For example there is no cheap 18650 hicri headlights.
On the other hand H03, that is leading in first comment, have several disadvantages, off by hold, not hicri etcetera so there is large space to special edition. Of course if and only if there is enough interest.

I disagree, throwy and floody on regular flashlights have many factors such as emitter size, reflector diameter and depth.

On headlights the lens size is much smaller, so here throwy and floody can depend on optics only.

I want to include data like reflector diameter so we know what models are easily changed from floody to throwy or vice versa.

Want a high cri emitter, that’s why I’m putting the mcpcb size into the details.

I don’t think anyone, including a blf edition, can make a headlight to suit everyone, but we can narrow the list down to find what comes closest and then make the changes we want to get the perfect headlight.

For instance, that crelant ch10 sure looks nice for $20, CW or NW options, good UI, but I don’t like the narrow angle reflector. It looks like it uses a 20mm reflector which means I could swap in a wide angle tir lens and have a perfect light for me.

If it uses a 16mm mcpcb, then you could easily swap in a hi cri emitter and have your perfect light. (I don’t like hi cri)

[AEDe]

@JasonWW

I want to include data like reflector diameter so we know what models are easily changed from floody to throwy or vice versa.

Want a high cri emitter, that’s why I’m putting the mcpcb size into the details.

I don’t think anyone, including a blf edition, can make a headlight to suit everyone, but we can narrow the list down to find what comes closest and then make the changes we want to get the perfect headlight.

For instance, that crelant ch10 sure looks nice for $20, CW or NW options, good UI, but I don’t like the narrow angle reflector. It looks like it uses a 20mm reflector which means I could swap in a wide angle tir lens and have a perfect light for me.

If it uses a 16mm mcpcb, then you could easily swap in a hi cri emitter and have your perfect light. (I don’t like hi cri)

There are many important characterictics such as mass , dimensions, construction, anodizing quality, ui, pwm, availability of suitable optics, efficiency.
But I see headlamp is not popular on blf.

[JasonWW]

I can’t include all that data into my list, but I can include the more basic things to narrow down from 100 lights to a few. Then you have to do research on those to find what suits you best.

I’m a noob about headlights which is why I’m making the list. I don’t want to waste my time researching non-18650 lights, ones that don’t have ramping and L shaped lights.

If I want to gift a light to someone, I can quickly find lights that have built in charging.

[AEDe]

@JasonWW

I’m a noob about headlights which is why I’m making the list. I don’t want to waste my time researching non-18650 lights, ones that don’t have ramping and L shaped lights.

.

Only few hedlamp have ramping and all of them have very low quality.

[Lazy-R-us]

JasonWW, I think what you are doing is useful and I appreciate it. I can’t really add much to your list, since the only headlamp I have is the RJ02, which you clearly have and your info is complete.

[JasonWW]

@AEDe

@JasonWW

I’m a noob about headlights which is why I’m making the list. I don’t want to waste my time researching non-18650 lights, ones that don’t have ramping and L shaped lights.

.

Only few hedlamp have ramping and all of them have very low quality.

Do you think the Crelant CH10 is low quality?. I thought it looked pretty good.

[JasonWW]

@Lazy-R-us

JasonWW, I think what you are doing is useful and I appreciate it. I can’t really add much to your list, since the only headlamp I have is the RJ02, which you clearly have and your info is complete.

Thanks.

I like it, but there is room for improvement. The side mounted button is in an awkward location. I think a top mounted button is better.

The output color is too blue.

It’s not very water proof.

I already swapped to a 60* lens.

It’s pretty good for the price, but I’d like to upgrade and give the RJ02 to a family member.

[AEDe]

@JasonWW

Do you think the Crelant CH10 is low quality?. I thought it looked pretty good.

I had this flashlight. It have low quality аnodizing , no waterproof , and ugly UI (after change of battery you should adjust it again), low efficiency linear driver.

[JasonWW]

@AEDe

@JasonWW

Do you think the Crelant CH10 is low quality?. I thought it looked pretty good.

I had this flashlight. It have low quality аnodizing , no waterproof , and ugly UI (after change of battery you should adjust it again), low efficiency linear driver.

Well dang, I will keep looking then.

[AgentSteel]

@gloomywarfreak

@AgentSteel

My recommendations :

Avoid :

- Energizer Vision models. Cheap but the beam spills towards your eyes :person_facepalming:

I put some permanent marker ink at the bottom part of the plastic lens. Energizer made it transparent and that’s causing the spill.

Yes this is a good idea :+1:

Next time I hope some Q/A guys at Energizer try their own products for a change

[cbrake10]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a quality headlamp with either a rubber strap or an elastic/fabric one with silicone or another grippy material on it?
My H15 won’t stay on my hard hat without using cable ties.

[treoneo]

I’ve seen rubber headlamp straps on eBay for this exact purpose

@cbrake10

Does anyone have a recommendation for a quality headlamp with either a rubber strap or an elastic/fabric one with silicone or another grippy material on it?
My H15 won’t stay on my hard hat without using cable ties.

[Jack_Kellar]

Convoy sells some snazzy head straps for 18650-sized lights. Worth a look, maybe?